The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is collaborating with the UTM Sustainability Center and Clean Harbors to host its annual Household Hazardous Waste Day Oct. 5, 8 a.m.-noon.
This waste collection event, which is usually held in Dresden, will be held for the first time at the UTM Recycling Center.
Household Hazardous Waste Day allows citizens of Weakley County a safer, more convenient option to clear out any hazardous materials at no cost.
Improper disposal of hazardous waste can cause threats to human health and result in contamination of water lines and physical injuries. Improper disposal methods include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers or throwing them out with the regular trash.
Hazardous waste consists of leftover household products that are likely to cause a reaction under certain circumstances. Waste is also considered hazardous if the products are destructive or toxic.
Examples of products that are considered hazardous are: starter fluids, gasoline, adhesives, pesticides, pool chemicals, fluorescent light bulbs and certain medicines.
Items that are no longer accepted are alkaline batteries, paint, electronics, ammunition, explosives, medical waste, radioactive material, and smoke detectors. Only households may use the service to dispose of hazardous waste; no items from a school, commercial businesses, or agri-businesses will be accepted.
For safety precautions, do not mix materials. Waste products are preferred in their original containers. Leaking containers should be double packaged and all breakable containers should be placed in a box cushioned with newspaper.
“Weakley County does a great job hosting a spring Household Hazardous Waste event each spring, but it is on the far side of Dresden, and many in and around the campus community are unable to attend that event,” Dr. Eric Pelren, director of the Sustainability Center, said.
“When we approached the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation about hosting one on campus, they were enthusiastic and excited about getting the higher education community involved.”
Since this event began in 1993, there have been over 1300 one-day collections and Tennessee families have brought over 23 million pounds of household hazardous waste for disposal. The program is funded by a 90 cents per ton surcharge on waste entering landfills.
“It is our hope that this event will not only be a convenience for our students, faculty, staff and the community at large, but also that it will be a useful educational experience for all regarding best practices with regard to disposing of our various wastes,” Pelren said.
For more information about this event, contact the Sustainability Center at (731) 881-7263, or visit https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw.
Graphic Credit/ Aubree Weitzel
